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Kona Explosif Build...Help!

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CB2423

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I purchased a new leftover stock Kona Explosif frame to give the 27.5 wheel size a try on my tight twisty local trails. This is my first 27.5 build (everything else I have is a 29er) and I have everything I need but wheels and a fork so I am looking for input there.

I do not want to have a lot in this build due to its intended purpose but what is the best bang for buck wheel set and fork? I have been looking at the XFusion Velvet RL2 basically for the price and I have no clue regarding wheels. Used is also an option and preferred.

Thanks for any input.
 
#2 ·
CB2423 said:
I purchased a new leftover stock Kona Explosif frame to give the 27.5 wheel size a try on my tight twisty local trails. This is my first 27.5 build (everything else I have is a 29er) and I have everything I need but wheels and a fork so I am looking for input there.

I do not want to have a lot in this build due to its intended purpose but what is the best bang for buck wheel set and fork? I have been looking at the XFusion Velvet RL2 basically for the price and I have no clue regarding wheels. Used is also an option and preferred.

Thanks for any input.
Click to expand...
I did the same thing end of last year. So now is a great time to pick up new 2017 leftovers for less. I went with a FOX Float 34, and snagged it for $500. As with other parts related inquiries, you'll get several opinions. Everyone rides different. I had I9s with Michelin Rockr R2s on it and it rode like a heavy pig. I rebuilt my old WTB SX23s with Onxy Racing hubs, didn't go tubeless and it immediately came to life. I built mine for an in between bike smaller than my Kona Process and larger than 26er HardRock. I jacked it up for more aggressive riding. 140mm fork.

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Discussion starter · #3 ·
I would also prefer to run 140mm fork if I can find one as well. I have i9s on my other bikes but not wanting to drop that much on this one unless the ride just blows me away.
 
#4 ·
You can get hope hubs laced to arch ex rims off of bike 24.com for $375 shipped. They also have some other rims laced up for similar prices. The velvet is a good fork for tweener bikes. If you run the fork soft and stick a riser bar on the bike it will be a fantastic descender. If you run a flat bar and run the fork stiff it will make a good XC bike. The velvet is a very light weight fork for the money.
 
#6 ·
What is your budget for fork/wheels? Some people make wheels a priority over forks, but ive always felt the opposite. I have had an X-Fusion Sweep and a Pike on my Explosif and much prefer the Pike. The X-Fusion that is on there now is ok, but as soon as I get the Pike rebuilt it will go back in the closet. I was able to get my X-fusion for 240 shipped new @ CRC.

I have a lightish wheel set - DT350's on Velocity Blunt SS's with heavy 2.6's and love how it rides.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Budget would be about $350 for wheels and probably 4-500 for a fork. This is why I am hoping to find something used. Again, if this turns out to be just as fun as my 29ers I will upgrade. I just hate to go expensive out of the gate and not like the smaller wheels.
 
#8 ·
CB2423 said:
Budget would be about $350 for wheels and probably 4-500 for a fork. This is why I am hoping to find something used. Again, if this turns out to be just as fun as my 29ers I will upgrade. I just hate to go expensive out of the gate and not like the smaller wheels.
Click to expand...
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/253283097495

Aside from replacing the hubs, these are the wheels I am running. If you buy and don't like em, I'll buy them from you. I have a dented rim and I need to replace it anyhow.

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Discussion starter · #9 ·
party_wagon said:
You can get hope hubs laced to arch ex rims off of bike 24.com for $375 shipped. They also have some other rims laced up for similar prices. The velvet is a good fork for tweener bikes. If you run the fork soft and stick a riser bar on the bike it will be a fantastic descender. If you run a flat bar and run the fork stiff it will make a good XC bike. The velvet is a very light weight fork for the money.
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@party_wagon do you have a link to the wheels? I found several sets but none that are set up as you described. Forgive my ignorance.
 
#11 ·
CB2423 said:
@party_wagon do you have a link to the wheels? I found several sets but none that are set up as you described. Forgive my ignorance.
Click to expand...
I found them. Just go to www.bike24.com, go to the wheelsets on the left menu, choose 27.5, then sort by price ascending. It's a German site, so prices are in Euro. They ship to USA for €20, so not bad. I think with current exchange rate, it was about $389 for the Arch EXs w/Hope hubs. They have plenty of other options including Hope wheelsets with Hope brand hub and rim. I'm curious about those.

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#12 ·
Just search arch ex. At the top of the page there is a tab for choosing your country and the armerican prices are cheaper than the german prices.
https://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;product=74884;menu=1000,2,140,318;page=2
These rims work perfectly for 2.3 maxxis tires. Something like a 2.25 ardent and dhr2 combination would work well on this bike and at this rim width. I like these trail hardtails because they make a good bike for epic xc rides if you build them light enough. The lightest I would go is something similar to the new giant fathom though.
 
#13 · (Edited)
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Discussion starter · #14 ·
This is probably a ridiculous question and I am terrible at math but I have to ask... Could I run a 29er fork that I had on my Honzo on the Explosif? If I planned to run 140mm on the Explosif and the fork I have is a 29er 120mm fork? Thinking about all aspects I feel like the center of the wheel height would affect something but what I don't know? Honestly just trying to cut corners.
 
#15 ·
CB2423 said:
This is probably a ridiculous question and I am terrible at math but I have to ask... Could I run a 29er fork that I had on my Honzo on the Explosif? If I planned to run 140mm on the Explosif and the fork I have is a 29er 120mm fork? Thinking about all aspects I feel like the center of the wheel height would affect something but what I don't know? Honestly just trying to cut corners.
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You can run any fork you like as long as steerer tube fits. You'd probably have close to same geometry with 120mm 29er fork as you would with 140mm 27.5 fork, just less travel.

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#16 ·
CB2423 said:
This is probably a ridiculous question and I am terrible at math but I have to ask... Could I run a 29er fork that I had on my Honzo on the Explosif? If I planned to run 140mm on the Explosif and the fork I have is a 29er 120mm fork? Thinking about all aspects I feel like the center of the wheel height would affect something but what I don't know? Honestly just trying to cut corners.
Click to expand...
Most 27.5 forks change 10mm vs 29er and 26 forks change 20mm vs 29er. I would expect the geometry of a 130mm fork if using a 120mm 29er fork on a 27.5 bike. You can always use the smaller wheel size but you can't always use a bigger wheel size with the same fork unless you block some it's travel. Expect a 120mm fork with the axel to crown of a 130mm 27.5 fork.
 
#18 ·
White7 said:
rockshox sektor silver RL comes in a 140mm,,seems like a pretty decent fork for the price
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The best value fork now is a Rockshox Sektor. There are a lot of people on ebay selling new takes off and the market is extremely saturated so they are very cheap. You could save some serious money on your build this way.
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
Just received my frame and I'm a little bummed. Outside of there being a very noticeable and large paint defect the head tube is not centered on the frame and can easily be noticed without much effort. It is set to the left. Is this something I should worry about? This is my first frame up build so I apologize if this is the norm in production frame sets as far as alignment goes.

Thanks
 
#20 ·
CB2423 said:
Just received my frame and I'm a little bummed. Outside of there being a very noticeable and large paint defect the head tube is not centered on the frame and can easily be noticed without much effort. It is set to the left. Is this something I should worry about? This is my first frame up build so I apologize if this is the norm in production frame sets as far as alignment goes.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Can you post a picture? That definitely sounds bad. The head tube should be centered. Maybe this is why it was on sale/closeout?

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